New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Bill Gaudette returned to training Tuesday but nonetheless is taking a conservative approach as he deals with lower back injury.

Gaudette, a 31-year-old native of Hummelstown, Pa., sat out last weekend’s match vs. Toronto (a 4-1 Red Bulls win) and was limited in his activity Tuesday at practice. He isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to play Saturday vs. the Chicago Fire.

He doesn’t want to rush a return and then end up being sidelined for the playoffs.

“That’s what you have to do coming off an injury,” Gaudette told reporters Tuesday. “You don’t jump back in there full force. (My back) reacted all weekend the way the training staff wanted to, put in hours of work here, training staff has been great just to monitor and keep it going in the right direction.

“The most important thing is to be healed and not having this linger on the rest of the season, but today was a positive step. We have a few more steps to get back to 100 percent, but I’m very happy with how I responded today.”

Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said he expects Gaudette to play Saturday. If not ready, rookie Luis Robles would be in line to get his second MLS start.